Wakame Seaweed Salad

Rehydrate the wakame seaweed as per package instructions. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well. Once the seaweed has been reconstituted, toss with dressing and let sit at least 30 minutes before serving. Will keep up to a week in the refrigerator.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Kelp Powder Facts – Kelp is a brown seaweed and in some parts of the world such as Japan, Alaska and Hawaii kelp is a part of the normal diet. It is very beneficial for people who suffer with low thyroid function, pregnant women and people on a low salt diet. This seaweed contains 23 minerals, including chlorophyll, folic acid, vitamins A, B12, D and iodine. As iodine is not stored in the body, it needs to be taken on a daily basis.

The amount of iodine a person needs in a life time is very minimal, it is less than a teaspoon.

The medicinal virtues of kelp are primarily related to its content of viscous fiber called algin. Algin is responsible for the use of kelp in the treatment of obesity, atherosclerosis and as a blood purifier. Algin absorbs most nutrients as well as toxins from the digestive tract in much the same way that a water softener removes the "hardness" from tap water. This results in less toxins entering the circulatory system. It also reduces caloric intak

If you have a thyroid gland problem, kelp has been used to effectively help. In order for your thyroid to function properly, it needs iodine from a natural food base. The best source of this is kelp, as the iodine is food based, and it does not accumulate in the body.

Other natural sources to find iodine are cereals, pulses, fresh foods, seafood, poultry, meat and eggs; sea salt on the other hand contains very little iodine.

It also contains sodium alginate, which is very good for the body’s removal of heavy metals, and contains alkali, which is important for your body’s ph chemistry.

If your body does not maintain a proper ph balance, it does not function properly. You can suffer from things like acid indigestion, because your body has too much acid and not enough alkaline. Alkali will help bring your body back into balance when it gets too acidic.

Kelp is marketed as a weight loss product, as it can help stimulate your metabolism, and is used to control appetite, also by bringing your bodies ph back into balance, you may be able to lose those stubborn pounds.

If you are taking it, or considering taking it, check your other supplements, just to make sure they do not contain iodine. You don’t want to take too much of it on a daily basis.

It is used in many skin care products, as it has been proven to be very beneficial in keeping aging at bay. The vitamins and minerals in kelp help to keep the skin nourished and moisturized. The seawater in the seaweed is very similar to human plasma, so using it everyday for your skin care, is an ideal way for your skin to get all the nutritional benefits it needs. The benefits of kelp are truly eye opening! Try some kelp powder today!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

We tried the below recipe using our fresh dried Wakame Flakes from our store and it was sensational! Get the best Wakame Flakes and shop dozens of dried healthy seaweeds at www.SharpWebLabs.com or www.FloridaHerbHouse.com! We love seaweed!! Yummmmmm!!

Ingredients for Wakame Miso Soup

Makes 4 small servings

1 tablespoon of miso paste

1 tablespoon of dried wakame

1/2 cup of firm fresh tofu, cubed

4 cups of water or instant dashi (Japanese soup stock)

Instructions for Making Basic Miso Seaweed Soup

In a large bowl, soak dried wakame seaweed in cold water for 10-15 minutes

After soaking period, drain and squeeze wakame to get rid of excess water

Cut wakame into one inch length pieces and set aside

Start boiling 4 cups of water or instant dashi if available

Ladle about one cup of boiled water or dashi stock into bowl containing miso paste

Stir quickly until paste becomes nearly or fully dissolved and less lumpy

Add dissolved paste into the pot

Taste and add more miso paste if desired

Add wakame seaweed and cubed tofu and cook for another minute

When served, miso tends to settle at the bottom of the bowl, this is normal.

Wakame is a type of edible seaweed or sea vegetable that is traditionally used in Japanese and Korean cuisines. The seaweed is leafy and deep green in color, and is usually available in a dried, dehydrated form, although fresh varieties that are preserved in salt are also sold. Its taste is mild and somewhat similar to spinach, and it is often used in soups and salads. Wakame is considered to be a healthy, macrobiotic food due to its low fat and cholesterol content and its high concentrations of vitamins and minerals.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Try a cup of freshly steeped Sencha Green Tea after a night of sushi and you may find yourself sleeping better than ever! Is there some ingredient in the Nori Sheets that are used to wrap sushi in and in the Green Tea leaves that help promote better sleep? Well try it for yourself! Try 4-6 fresh pieces of sushi wrapped in fresh dried nori sheets and then follow with a cup of green tea a few hours before bed time. As the mild caffeine wears off the constituents of the green tea and nori take effect! Sleep good! Buy some of the best Sencha Green Tea at Florida Herb House and online at www.FloridaHerbHouse.com and www.SharpWebLabs.com!

We consider our green tea Sencha one of our best green tea's yet! After sampling this particular Japanese Sencha Green Tea at a trade show we purchased over 100 lbs and it is selling fast because our customers know how hard we work to bring you the best green tea around! Sencha is considered one of the best green tea choices because the leaves are picked young and fresh and give the best nutrient package per leaf.

Green tea has been used throughout India, China, Japan, and Thailand for hundreds of years. In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, practitioners used green tea as a stimulant, diuretic , astringent, and to improve heart health and improving mental processes.

What exactly is the difference between green tea, and the comfortable black tea you are used to? Well, it all comes from the same plant (Camellia sinensis), but the difference is in the processing. Green tea is dried, but not fermented. The shorter processing gives green tea a lighter flavor than black tea. It also helps keep all the beneficial chemicals intact, which is why green tea is so good for you. Our Sencha Green Tea is a traditional Japanese steamed green tea with a soothing taste and fresh green scent that makes it a perfect everyday treat.

How do you brew green tea? Just the same as you would brew any other kind of tea, whether you have bagged tea or loose green tea. One thing to watch out for: don't use fully boiling water. Green tea is more delicate than black, so you want to keep the water a little cooler. Brewing when your water is just about to hit the boil is good.

Green tea is made up of powerful antioxidants. that protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants work by stabilising free radicals before they cause harm. The antioxidants in green tea help to maintain healthy cells and tissues in the body. This is why green tea is so frequently used in anti aging skincare products today.

Green tea also contains Epigallocatechingallate (EGCG), a major catechin found in green tea. EGCG is thought to interact with enzyme systems in the body, inhibiting destructive chemical reactions in our bodies that lead to disease. EGCG has been shown to protect DNA from ultraviolet damage.

Green tea contains theanine an amino acid said to promote relaxation without drowsiness. Theanine has been reported to directly stimulate the production of alpha brain waves, which are linked with deep states of relaxation and enhanced mental clarity.

Green tea does contain caffeine, but considerably less than a regular cup of brewed coffee.The caffeine content of an 8 ounce (240mls) cup of green tea is approximately 30mg, compared to approximately 100mg in a brewed cup of coffee of the same quantity. This means you can drink more green tea, without the side effects of too much caffeine, such as anxiety and nervousness. It is a commonly known that caffeine stimulates the nervous system, boosting alertness and relieving fatigue.

Brew The Perfect Cup Of Our Green Tea!
KETTLE - After you have brought the kettle to a boil allow the water to cool for about 3 minutes. The water should be hot, but not boiling, about 79 to 87 degrees Centigrade (175-190 degrees Fahrenheit). Steep for 2 minutes.

TEA BAG - Place the bag in a large cup and fill the cup with hot (but not boiling) water. Sencha teabags should steep for 2 minutes. Do not move the tea bag while it is steeping. If you would like extra strong tea move the tea bag back and forth after it has steeped for 2 minutes.

INFUSION - After you have emptied the teapot completely for the first serving, the wet leaves will not continue to steep. You can infuse the leaves again. Sencha can be infused 2 or 3 times.

Once you've assembled you're ingredients, go ahead and put everything but the Sencha into a blender. Blend the strawberries, mint leaves and honey on the "blend" setting until the mixture is smooth. It should take about 30 seconds. Stop blending and use a spoon to push the strawberries closer to the blades if necessary.

When you're done blending, you can proceed to step three or keep the mixture covered and chilled until you're ready to serve it. (Stirring the blended strawberries and the Sencha green tea together just before serving keeps the mixture from separating.)

This step is what sets Strawberry SenchaFresca apart from regular strawberry aguafresca. Iced green tea (preferably iced Sencha) gives this summertime recipe more flavor, complexity and antioxidants than regular strawberry aguafresca. The fresh mint also complements the fresh flavor of the Sencha and the sweetness of the strawberries.

Simply stir the blended strawberry mixture and the iced tea together in a pitcher or large glass jar. Like aguafresca, Strawberry SenchaFresca is best when it's fresh. Serve it immediately, and try to stir your pitcher just before refilling glasses.

You can keep leftover Strawberry SenchaFresca covered and refrigerated overnight to enjoy in the morning. Makes about four servings. Enjoy!!!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

This is by far the simplest yet delightful seaweed recipe we have tried yet! We were searching for a healthy recipe using our organic dulse seaweed flakes. We do sell quite a bit of Dulse and do get frequent emails from our customers and friends about recipes. The other night we found a recipe for potato pancakes and dulse. Try it, try it now! This will be on your recipe list. While we searched for an alternative way to avoid frying these we all agree this is one recipe that must be fried for the true taste! PWe have the freshest dried dulse seaweed flakes and dulse powder in stock at our Florida Herb House in Port Orange, Florida or you can purchase online 24/7 at www.SharpWebLabs.com or www.FloridaHerbHouse.com. The recipe follows!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

SAVE UP TO 70% ON KOSHER, ORGANIC, AND NATURALLY FLAVORED SEA SALT!Daytona Beach, FL - Florida Herb House has announced their biggest sale yet! Save up to 70% off retail prices on over fifty premium sea salts. This offer is good while supplies last. Stephen Sharp owner of Florida Herb House says, "We are very excited to offer some of the purest and finest sea salts in the world here at our little herb shop."Florida Herb House stocks in house dozens of domestic and imported premium sea salts. Choose from the finest Sel Gris and Pink Himalayan sea salts to their full stock of Fusion naturally flavored salts. Stephen says, "The Fusion line of naturally flavored sea salt is truly a favorite of our customers. We have all the favorite flavors such as Wild Porcini, White Truffle, Vintage Merlot, Roasted Garlic, and Aged Balsamic sea salts. These salts are all created from all natural flavors and never have anything artificial added to them."

Florida Herb House is hoping to move more than two thousand pounds of their premium salts this year in hopes of beating last year's total sea salt revenues. In modern times everyone from gourmet chefs to health conscious families are making the switch to sea salt versus the more conventional sodium chloride "table salt" variety. When we asked why so many are choosing sea salt Stephen quoted, "We think people are more and more simply choosing their foods wiser. With so much mass production in the food chain there are too many bad things put into otherwise good foods. Sea salt offers much more than basic table salt. Sea salt is produced by the evaporation of seawater. It is used widely in cooking and baths. Sea salt offers a higher degree of minerals than basic table salt which is nothing but sodium chloride. The benefits of using sea salt have been proven over and over again."

If you are a chef, mom, or anything into "healthy" then check out www.FloridaHerbHouse.com and www.SharpWebLabs.com for their incredible sales. We decided our two favorite sea salts were the Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt and the Fleur De Sel sea salt. These make any dish better! Florida Herb House avoids the expensive labels and glass packaging and packs their salts fresh to order in resealable foil packets. Using this technique they are able to pass huge savings on to their customers. Florida Herb House now stocks over 1500 organic and green friendly goodies.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Thanks from all of us here at Florida Herb House for reading our seaweed blogs! Mention this blog and get 10% off online at http://www.sharpweblabs.com/ or http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/ where we offer over 1500 organic and all natural products. We have been selling edible seaweeds in our herb store for about 3 years now. Their popularity has been increasing each year as more and more are learning about the vast nutrients available in seaweed. It is important you buy seaweed from a reputable store as it must be harvested, dried, and cleaned properly. Once this is done the result is a nutrient dense superweed!

Last week we decided to try some seaweed soup. We opted for a bowl of Korean style seaweed. While I am not the greatest fan of eating seaweed I will say that on some occasions after a good size helping of kelp or Bladder wrack I feel a rush of energy and vigor. Since we have already tried Kelp and Bladder wrack in soups and other dishes we opted to try our organic Dulse flakes for the soup. We found a base recipe online and began.

Here is what we used and it seemed to work well!

SERVES 4

1 oz Organic Dulse Flakes

6 cups Organic Chicken Broth

1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder

1/2 teaspoon French Onion Base Powder

1 teaspoon Minced Garlic

2 teaspoons Sesame Oil

1 tablespoon Soy Sauce

Sea Salt to taste

Soak the Dulse in water for two hours or until soft. Drain and rinse really well, as dried seaweed can come with a lot of dirt, just like spinach does. Then pour all ingredients into pot, bring to boil and then simmer for 5-7 Min's. We had this with a side of squash and zucchini as well as some wild brown rice. I am now a believer! It really tasted okay and may become a regular recipe amongst all Florida Herb House followers! Have a great day!!

Please send your comments if anyone has tried this with any suggestions or comments. :-)